Hedge investment means on loan to Brechin

“I know Simon and I know Mark and they are guys who will be good for their own players and good for younger players.

The squad saw Scott Cusick return to Dunfermline this week. He was one of 18 players released at the premature end of last season. Stevie said that since coming in from Celtic in January Scott had been terrific and refreshing with his own style of attacking:-

“He had lost his way at Celtic but he is an attacking midfielder who has the ability to play as a central midfielder. At this stage he is not ready for that at Dunfermline so we have immediately put him out on loan to Brechin City to develop him. We see that for his benefit and ours in the longer term.

“Scott loved being back in amongst things at Dunfermline and found his love for the game again. It is great that we have managed to get him back in.”

Stevie was hugely impressed by how Mark Wilson and Brechin had looked after Pars midfielder Paul Allan while on loan there last season. The 20 year old made 23 appearances for the Glebe Park club and feels that Brechin could be helpful in giving Scott valuable match experience.

“Simon Donnelly has just joined Brechin as Mark Wilson’s assistant. I know Simon and I know Mark and they are guys who will be good for their own players and good for younger players. They will educate them in a positive way to learn the game.

“Scott has the appetite and desire and he is not frightened to get on the ball. He is an attacking player who looks to thread passes and be creative. It will give him a chance to grow into himself.”

Stevie says that being out on loan has visibly benefited Paul Allan and he can see a change in his player since returning from Brechin City:-

“Paul can go through a game unnoticed, but he can go through a game unnoticed because tactically he is very aware of his defensive responsibilities and he is also a very good user of the ball. He doesn’t need to take four or five touches, he can see a pass early. Sometimes these players go unnoticed.

“He has obviously worked hard over the summer and he has brought more physicality into his play. I do believe when they are sixteen, seventeen, eighteen in every pre season you can see players like Paul growing into his body and become more of a man.

“Paul deserves a pat on the back because he went out to Brechin last year and wasn’t phased as Brechin struggled. The feedback from Brechin was that they were very happy with the way he went about his business. It is wee journeys like that that you want to see.

“I’m not saying that he will be starting the season with us but he is developing as a footballer and we are duty bound to see where he is at with the squad and then as we will with a number of our younger players consider whether we put them out on loan or are they going to have an impact with us.”

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